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How to Say "comprises" in Spanish

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incluye

/een-KLOO-yeh//inˈkluje/

VerbA1Formal
Use 'incluye' when you are listing specific items or services that are part of a larger whole, often in a transactional or descriptive context.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing a large, open wooden basket. Inside the basket, there is a red apple, a yellow banana, and a bunch of purple grapes, illustrating the concept of inclusion.

Examples

El precio incluye el desayuno y acceso al gimnasio.

The price includes breakfast and gym access.

Ella siempre incluye a su hermano menor en los juegos.

She always includes her younger brother in the games.

Si usted incluye esa información, el informe será más completo.

If you (formal) include that information, the report will be more complete.

A Form of the Verb 'Incluir'

'Incluye' is the present tense form used when the person or thing doing the action is 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), 'usted' (you formal), or 'it' (like 'el contrato' or 'la tarifa').

The Y in Conjugation

In the present tense, the 'i' of 'incluir' changes to a 'y' when it’s next to another vowel, except for the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms. This is a common pattern for verbs ending in -uir (like construir or destruir).

Forgetting the 'y' change

Mistake: “El paquete *inclue* la batería.”

Correction: El paquete *incluye* la batería. (Remember the 'y' spelling change in this conjugation.)

comprende

kom-PREN-de/komˈpɾende/

VerbB2Formal
Use 'comprende' when referring to the components or elements that make up something larger, emphasizing the entirety of its composition.
A large simple blue outline of a square box containing three distinct smaller shapes: a yellow circle, a red star, and a green triangle.

Examples

La oferta de trabajo comprende el salario y los beneficios.

The job offer includes the salary and the benefits.

Este parque nacional comprende una gran variedad de vida silvestre.

This national park comprises a wide variety of wildlife.

¿Qué comprende exactamente el precio total?

What exactly does the total price include?

Formal Scope

When used in this sense, 'comprende' usually describes what a specific thing (like a document, region, or package) contains or covers.

contiene

/kon-TYEH-neh//konˈtje.ne/

VerbA2Formal
Use 'contiene' when talking about something physically holding or having specific contents within it, like a container or a document.
A transparent glass jar filled with brightly colored glass marbles sitting on a flat surface.

Examples

Esta caja contiene un regalo para ti.

This box contains a gift for you.

La botella contiene un litro de agua.

The bottle holds one liter of water.

El documento contiene información confidencial.

The document includes confidential information.

A Form of 'Contener'

'Contiene' is the verb 'contener' (to contain) used when talking about a single item or person (he, she, or it) in the present time.

Irregularity Pattern

The verb 'contener' is irregular because it follows the exact same pattern as the common verb 'tener' (to have). If you know 'él tiene' (he has), you know 'él contiene' (he contains).

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: “Using *contiene* for 'I' (yo) or 'they' (ellos): *Yo contengo* is correct, not *Yo conteno*.”

Correction: Remember the 'g' in the 'yo' form: *Yo contengo*. This is the same irregularity found in *tener* (yo tengo).

Choosing Between 'Incluye' and 'Comprende'

Learners often confuse 'incluye' and 'comprende'. Use 'incluye' for listing specific parts of a whole, like items in a package. Use 'comprende' when describing the overall makeup or scope of something, often a more abstract concept.

Related Translations

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